Reports that another atheist blogger/online activist is facing legal charges is perhaps not news to anyone in Bangladesh these days, given how this current trend had been set a while back now. But to one Siddikur Rahman of Teghria zilla, Sunagmganj and 19 other names on this latest blasphemy case, it is perhaps a rude awakening to the reality of what happens when you exercise your right to freedom of speech in Bangladesh today. Our court correspondent has the latest from the Chief Judicial magistrate court in Dhaka.
In this latest episode, CR case no -224/2017 (Dhamrai) filed under the Bangladesh penal code 295, sees the plaintiff Mr Rayhan Ali Sumon, age 27, bring allegations of blasphemy against the above name Siddikur Rahman (who is listed as the first defendant), along with 19 other bloggers and various online activists like him. The others accused are Shafi Nawaz, Sharmin Jannat Bhutto,Arifur Rahman, Md Tofail Hossain, Enayetul Huda, ABM Mahmodul hasan, Abu Taher Mhummad Mostofa, Hosne Mubarak, Md Nurun Nabi, Naymul Islam, Roosevelt Halder, Reana Trina, Kamikazi, Pinaki Deb Apu, Syed Sunvy Anick Hossain, Syed isteak Hossain Shawon, Hussain Mohammad Parvez, Syed Md Sajeb Abed, Md tamzid Hussain
The plaintiff and defendant no.1 reportedly knew each other and given the outreach of social media in Bangladesh these days, it is perhaps not too unsurprising. But our court correspondent reports the plaintiff knew Mr Siddikur Rahman quite well, in fact they apparently enjoyed a very friendly relationship. Mr Siddikur Rahman who is a blogger, writer and online LGBT rights activist by trade, is currently residing in the UK gaining higher education.
It has been reported that Mr Rayhan Ali launched the law suit against Mr Siddikur Rahman and others, after coming across a blasphemous article that Mr Rahman had actually invited him to read. The article written by Mr Rahman, featured in a prominent online and printed magazine called Atheists In Bangladesh. It is titled, “The Extent Of Muhammad’s (pbuh) Knowledge”.
According to reports Mr Siddikur Rahman repeatedly requested the plaintiff to read the aforementioned article, through social media. The plaintiff complied, and on 07/07/2017 he visited the website where Mr Siddikur’s article was. After going through the contents of the article, Mr Rayhan Ali felt deeply offended and hurt. Given how he is the member of a mainstream Muslim family, Mr Rayhan Ali felt that Mr Siddikur Rahman’s words not only a direct assault on Islam, but was a cheap shot to the religious sentimentalities of Muslims in Bangladesh and indeed all over the world. He was reportedly shocked by the ‘derogatory comments’ made towards the great Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). An amalgamation of all these factors proved to be enough for Mr Rayhan Ali, as he sought to bring these blasphemous offenders to justice.
The above mentioned article is largely comprised of directives Muhhammad (pbuh) passed down to his followers and fellow Muslims. Mr Rahman can be found stating in his article that he has reserved “nothing but regret for those who follow him”. He claimed that Muhammad (pbuh) was a man “who believed that cow dung and bones are food for imaginary creatures called Jinns”.
Our court correspondent to get in touch with a spokesperson for the plaintiff Mr Rayhan Ali, who was unavailable for comment. The spokesperson (who did not wish to be named) informed us, “Mr Rayhan Ali was deeply saddened by these sequence of events. He felt that he had no choice but to take matters in to his own hands. He asks that the people of the country pray for him, and that those willing to help come forward and aid him. He says he hopes he his actions can mark the beginning of the fight against blasphemy.”
However none of the defendants were unavailable for comment. Our court correspondent tracked down where Mr Siddikur Rahman lived (his current address was one in Sunamganj), but found out that he is currently abroad . One of his neighbours next door informed him that Mr Rahman’s family had evacuated their house recently and did not tell anyone where they were headed.
Meanwhile our correspondent also approached the Kotoali police Station Faridpur for further information and comments on the case. They were downright unhelpful, but a spokesperson for the police did inform us that investigations are still ongoing and that they are still in their infancy. The media will be notified in time if there are any developments.
